“The Real Housewives of Orange County” airs Mondays at 8/7C on Bravo. Get more information at bravotv.com. Follow Lydia on Twitter @OCLydia.

Q: What else can you tell us about Season 8?

A: I lived in San Diego for 10 years, but I also lived in Canada. In this season, I take the ladies on a trip to my home town in Canada. The trip was my idea, to get them out of their element and into the snow. I wanted them to get to know me.

There are many trips. We also go wine tasting for the weekend. And there is a wedding in the works, so we have a bachelorette party trip for Tamra in Mexico. It was only a couple days, but there was so much drama! I had never been to a bachelorette party before.

Q: Before joining the cast, were you a fan of the show?

A: I actually didn’t watch the O.C. Housewives. But I think that was good for me. I know pop culture, so I always knew who the women were. But I didn’t know the drama. I was naïve, so it made me more authentic. I had heard things, but I didn’t go into the show wanting to like someone or not.

I did watch the Beverly Hills seasons, because we are close with Lisa and the other ladies through the magazine. But it’s so different to watch the show at home for entertainment, and to be a part of the show. To be there at the table with all the yelling and the cursing. It’s a whole other level! I’m Italian, I thought I was a strong woman!

Q: Give us a rundown of your professional life. You have so much going on!

A: My husband and I met when I was a producer, doing documentary films and wedding videos. We got together and started a media company -- SKYLAB Media Group. We are very artsy people, and we wanted to have our office in Laguna. But the exact spot we wanted had to be a store, because of permitting. So, we opened an art gallery to get into the space, and we moved our office upstairs. SKYLAB Modern Art ended up being its own business, and it’s still successful.

From the gallery, our current partner approached us to launch a magazine. Now we have Beverly Hills Lifestyle magazine, and we love it. I’m drawn to fashion. I’ve been more of a fashion editor, the feminine voice of the magazine. I always love talking to stylists during photo shoots, to learn about the industry. My husband is actually the one who encouraged me to start my own jewelry line, Lydia M Jewelry.

Q: With so many businesses, a family and a new show, what is your key to finding balance?

A: It’s a daily struggle. As a mom, there’s a part of you that will always be guilty. Being out at a meeting, when you have your kids at home. We’re trying to figure out if we want to have another kid now, or if we want to start another business. There is no quick answer. For me, in the mornings I have quiet time, to be grateful and to focus on what is important to me. My family is most important, and I cherish the quiet time with them. The day just flows from there.